San Antonio faces an incoming cold front and flood watch as forecast models show a 12-hour delay in heavy rainfall, pushing peak storm risks into Thursday morning. According to regional weather updates, South-Central Texas remains under a flood watch, with the highest threat of heavy downpours concentrated along the Interstate 35 corridor between 6 a.m. and noon on Thursday.
San Antonio Flood Watch and Cold Front Timeline
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for South-Central Texas that takes effect at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Conditions will stay mostly dry across the region through midnight, with rain chances hovering near 20% and only an isolated shower or storm possible along the Interstate 35 corridor.
Forecast models indicate that a strong line of thunderstorms will begin pushing through the Hill Country during the predawn hours Thursday, arriving between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. The storm system will continue moving southeast, reaching the San Antonio area by sunrise. The highest chance for heavy rainfall across San Antonio spans from 6 a.m. to noon Thursday as the slow-moving line crosses Interstate 35.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms may persist through Thursday afternoon before activity diminishes in coverage. A temporary break in the rainfall is likely between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday. However, weather models show potential for storm redevelopment late Thursday night into early Friday morning, creating a renewed flooding risk for the Friday morning commute.
Severe Weather Hazards and Rainfall Totals
While most of the region will receive beneficial rainfall over the 48-hour event, forecasters warn that isolated pockets could see 5 to 8 inches of rain, triggering major flooding concerns. The storms arriving Thursday morning also carry a risk of damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, small hail, and frequent lightning. This severe weather activity could cause power outages throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas.
Weekend weather will feature lingering scattered rainfall, with a 50% chance of rain on Saturday followed by a 20% to 30% chance on Sunday. The overall flood threat will decrease significantly over the weekend as most precipitation transitions to light rain.
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